Is Nigeria’s Lithium Mining a ticking Time Bomb for the Environment and Local Communities?
In light of Nigeria’s recent venture into large-scale lithium mining, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised concerns about the potential environmental and social impact. The nonprofit organization has urged the Nigerian government to approach lithium mining with a strong sense of environmental responsibility and a commitment to protecting local livelihoods.
Following the commissioning of the first and largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, constructed by the Chinese firm Avatar Energy Materials Company Limited, attention has turned to the potential impacts of industrial-scale lithium mining on the environment and local communities. With a daily production capacity of 4,000 metric tonnes, the plant is a significant step towards Nigeria’s role in the global green transition.
While acknowledging the economic potential of lithium mining in driving Nigeria’s growth and positioning it as a key player in the production of clean technologies such as electric cars and inverters, CAPPA has highlighted the lack of state oversight in mining activities and the potential negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
The organisation has raised concerns over the potential appropriation of local waters for lithium processing, the indiscriminate disposal of waste, violent displacement of communities, and the ecological damage associated with mining activities. It has also drawn attention to the historical negligence in mining governance and the lack of community engagement in decision-making processes.
Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation, expressed apprehension over the land ownership disputes in Nasarawa State, where foreign Chinese corporations have laid claims to lands rich in Lithium. There are also ongoing discussions regarding the outdated nature of Nigeria’s primary mining law and the lack of provisions for community involvement.
The meeting between the Nigerian President and the Chinese investors has raised further concerns. The lack of transparency regarding the royalties and benefits accruable to local communities, as well as the assurance of cheap labour, has sparked worries about the potential for exploitation of local resources and labour.
CAPPA has warned against greenlighting Chinese and foreign investments without robust local control and responsibility to communities and the environment. It has emphasized the need for strict regulations that prioritize community well-being, including environmental protections, fair compensation for land use, and opportunities for local economic development.
In conclusion, CAPPA has called for a restructuring of the governance structure of the mining sector to firmly involve local communities in decision-making processes. It has stressed the importance of holding corporations accountable for their actions and enforcing transparency in their operations. The organisation believes that only through these measures can Nigeria ensure a sustainable mining future that is fair and empowering for all stakeholders involved.
